History

It’s simply astounding to see what happens when compassionate volunteers work together to help their neighbors in need. Over and over again, I see how families become empowered, and communities are transformed.
–Karen Olson, Founder & President, Family Promise

In 1981, Karen Olson was a marketing executive who developed promotional campaigns for consumer products. One morning, on her way to a meeting, she saw a homeless woman, someone she’d seen over and over again on her way to work.

She decided to buy a sandwich for the woman. The stranger accepted the sandwich but asked for something else – a moment to be heard, to be comforted, and to be considered as more than a mere statistic on a cold street corner.

Soon, Karen and her two young sons began frequent trips to New York to hand out sandwiches to the homeless. As she came to know some of the city’s homeless people, she began to understand the profound loss and disconnection that homelessness causes. In 1988, that understanding turned into an enduring commitment when Karen founded the Family Promise organization. The Mission of Family Promise National is is to help homeless and low-income families achieve sustainable independence.

The Vision of Family Promise National is a nation in which every family has a home, a livelihood, and the chance to build a better future together. To Learn more about the National Family Promise Organization–services, success, news and events–visit the National website: Family Promise National